Veterans Day services in LaGrange took a somber turn Tuesday with the reading of 177 names, each followed by the ringing of a bell.

The names were of those veterans with a LaGrange connection who have died in the past year.

“This is the first year we’re trying something different,” said Bernard Bledsoe, a member of the Marine Corps League.

The league is part of the West Georgia Veterans’ Council, which organizes the annual ceremony. The ceremony usually is marked with a keynote speaker.

“The program is different but the intent is the same – to honor our veterans,” Bledsoe said. 

The memorial, dedicated three years ago, includes 1,976 memorial brick pavers, 19 of which were added in time for this year’s ceremony.

Names were gathered from local newspapers and funeral homes. Veterans’ Council Chairman Roger Smith said he spent at least 15 hours gathering the names. 

This year also was highlighted with the unveiling of a Blue Star marker from the Elms and Roses Garden Council. Garden councils across the country began the Blue Star Byway highway marker program to honor service members after World War II and it since has spread to memorial sites, national cemeteries, Veterans Affairs facilities, city parks, civic and historic sites, and public properties.

Betty Lester, garden club member and Blue Star marker chairwoman, presented the marker to the veterans.

“This dedication of the Blue Star memorial marker pays tribute to our armed forces and veterans,” she said. “While we go about our daily lives, or while we sleep, the men and women in our armed forces have flown our skies, sailed our seas and guarded our shores, ensuring our safety. They stand ready at a moment’s notice to defend our country. We must not forget them, and we do not. We remember with every step of the honor guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We remember with every drumbeat on the Fourth of July. We pledge allegiance to our flag and we remember. At the sound of reveille we remember and as the last lingering notes of ‘Taps’ resound in the distance, we remember.”

n For a list of the veterans named at Tuesday’s service, see today’s editorial page.

Jennifer Shrader may be reached at jshrader@ lagrangenews.com or at (706) 884-7311, Ext. 236.